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Every one of us keeps money in banks, as cash in hand, or in the form of assets like stocks, cryptocurrencies, and gold. Money is the driving force of human civilization. Our entire economic and socio‑political system rests on one foundation and that is money. But the question is—Is your money truly safe?
For example, In India, in November 2016 the Prime Minister appeared on national television and declared INR 500 and 1000 currency notes invalid. Overnight, if you held money in those denominations, you could no longer use it to buy groceries, clothes, or pay your bills. That episode showed how easily a government can declare your money illegal or worthless without consulting you.
Governments can also restrict your ability to withdraw money. It was seen during the Greek financial crisis of 2015, that the citizens were prevented from withdrawing freely from their bank accounts. Similar restrictions have occurred in Lebanon, Argentina, Venezuela, and other countries. Withdrawal limits at ATMs or caps on the amount per transaction can be imposed at any time.
These examples focus on cash or withdrawal from banks, but the internet has given governments even greater power to restrict your access to your own money. Today, most people rely on online transactions. Governments can order banks to limit daily transfers, and in times of emergency, many countries have shut down the internet altogether making digital transfers impossible. On top of this, governments are introducing state‑controlled digital currencies. With such systems, every transaction can be monitored, restricted, or even frozen with a single click.
Some believe cryptocurrencies offer protection against these controls. But this is totally an illusion. Cryptos cannot be transferred without an active internet connection, and that connection can always be cut.
History also shows that even gold is not immune. In 1933, the then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order, making it illegal for Americans to hold gold. Citizens were ordered to surrender their gold to the government (or the Federal Reserve). The penalty for non‑compliance was a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment as well. Unsurprisingly, people rushed to deposit their gold. That episode proved that even your gold can be taken away so easily.
In short, when it comes to wealth, people have little power against governments. Your hard‑earned money can be restricted, devalued, or confiscated at any time. That’s why it’s important to think about protection. You should not rely entirely on online banking. Keep some cash at home. Hold physical gold and silver. Diversify into cryptocurrencies and land ownership. Own foreign currency or assets as well. These measures may not make you invulnerable, but they can help you to survive in extreme situations.
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